As the residents of Jones and Bullion Street prepare for this year’s trick-or-treaters, Soroptimist International of Mariposa is working to help those neighborhoods weather the economic costs of the holiday. For a third year, the Soroptimist Candy Drive is looking for donations to help Jones and Bullion Street residents meet the needs of the close to 1,000 children that make their way along those streets on Halloween night.
A popular destination for many in the area, Jones and Bullion Streets are seen by many parents as a safe alternative for their children, leaving the trick-or-treating responsibilities to the residents of those houses. Once children begin to fill the streets on Halloween night, the Mariposa County Sheriff closes off the area to vehicular traffic.
Soroptimist hopes to gather enough candy and donations to provide five to six bags of candy to each home, offering much needed assistance and support to the street's homeowners.
Soroptimist is asking the community to donate unopened candy bags. Even if someone doesn't have the time to buy candy themselves, Soroptimist has set up a donation jars at the below described locations, where individuals, or businesses that would like to contribute, can donate money to the cause, and then candy and treats will be purchased on their behalf.
With Halloween just around the corner, there isn't much time left to get those donations in. Organizers would like all donations to be dropped off by Monday, October 24, 2016 so that there is time for the candy to be delivered and distributed prior to Halloween evening festivities.
Donations of money or unopened candy bags can be dropped off at Happy Burger Diner, Pioneer Market, Starchman & Bryant Law Offices, Ace Hardware, Bootjack Market, Donuts A Go-Go, Human Services, the Government Center, the Oasis, the Mariposa Gazette, Pizza Factory, and Sal’s.
For more information about this event or Soroptimist International of Mariposa, contact Dianne Fritz at: (209) 769-1451, visit us online at simariposa.org or find us on Facebook.
Article and picture contributed by Anita Starchman Bryant
